NEW DELHI: India’s top drug advisory body, the Drug Technical Advisory Body (DTAB), is reviewing whether doorstep delivery of medicines which was allowed by the govt during the Covid-19 pandemic should be continued or not. Minister of state in the health ministry Anupriya Patel said this in a written reply to a parliament question on Tuesday.
The decision comes after a representation from the All-India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists demanding withdrawing govt approval for doorstep delivery of medicines citing alleged misuse and an increase in unauthorised sale of prescription drugs.
Patel said the DTAB had considered the agenda for withdrawal of notification dated March 26, 2020 (to allow doorstep delivery of medicines) in a meeting held on April 24, 2025. There is no clarity on the DTAB’s stand on the issue though.
In 2020, the health ministry issued a notification to allow doorstep delivery of essential medicines as part of an effort to prevent people from coming out as nationwide lockdown was in place to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Retail shop owners have been protesting because permission remains in place even though the pandemic has ended.
The decision comes after a representation from the All-India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists demanding withdrawing govt approval for doorstep delivery of medicines citing alleged misuse and an increase in unauthorised sale of prescription drugs.
Patel said the DTAB had considered the agenda for withdrawal of notification dated March 26, 2020 (to allow doorstep delivery of medicines) in a meeting held on April 24, 2025. There is no clarity on the DTAB’s stand on the issue though.
In 2020, the health ministry issued a notification to allow doorstep delivery of essential medicines as part of an effort to prevent people from coming out as nationwide lockdown was in place to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Retail shop owners have been protesting because permission remains in place even though the pandemic has ended.
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